A cancer-sufferer attending a Christmas party at a Mortons Steakhouse on Friday night was ordered to remove a beanie hat he was wearing to protect him from the cold in an unpleasant incident that escalated quickly when the manager called the police. Robert Chambers, who runs and hosts a Tennessee shopping channel show called The Coin Vault, is currently battling a treatable form of cancer which he was first diagnosed with in March. Chambers was well enough to take his employees to dinner at the steakhouses downtown Nashville branch on Friday, but towards the end of meal he started to feel the cold and so put the beanie hat on his head.The chemo I had last gives me a cold sensitivity at the end of the day. It doesn't matter what I've done, there's a certain point. Chambers told NashvilleScene.com. So I'm sitting there at the table, freezing and I put my toboggan on. We're two or three minutes away from walking out and the manager comes up behind me and says, Would you please take that off in the dining room. I said, Sure.Chambers was informed that he was in violation of the restaurant's dress code, even though it doesnt actually say anything about hats and only suggests men wear business attire or smart casual wear. While Chambers quickly obliged with the managers request, other members of the party - including his 23-year-old son - tried to explain that their was a perfectly legitimate medical reason for wearing the hat indoors.

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Cancer or not, cold or not, what is wrong with putting on a beanie, whether you are getting ready to leave or not at this restaurant?
Morton throwing a few paltry dollars to the cancer hospital would not make this go away for me easily.

Whereas my heart strings can be pulled for a cancer patient too, private establishments are permitted their own dress codes. Men will remove their hats when in service at the church I attend, cancer or not. Those too unhealthy to comply (or too vain to comply) may certainly request a pastoral visit at a place of their choosing. It's a slippery slope once patrons are allowed to dictate policy.

11
posted on 12/17/2013 8:04:28 PM PST
by so_real
( "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.")

From the article: The restaurant responded Monday to the wave of criticism. Tim Whitlock, senior vice president of operations and chief operating officer for Mortons The Steakhouse, wrote in a statement:

Our executive team has been in contact with Mr. Chambers who fully accepted our apology. There was a complete and total misunderstanding by our staff who had no idea that our guest had a medical condition. Our actions were uninformed and our intentions were not malicious. As a sign of our sincere apology and commitment to the community, we are donating on behalf of Mr. Chambers, $2,000.00 to the St. Judes Hospital. In addition, Mortons The Steakhouse will also partner with Mr. Chambers to underwrite a cancer fundraiser...At Mortons The Steakhouse, superior customer service is our first priority. We appreciate the patronage of our loyal guests and look forward to continuing to serve the Nashville community. We embrace our role as an iconic location where generations come to share special moments and memories.

That said, I would give them another chance. I don't know of a many restaurants that haven't had a customer service issue. What is important in my eyes is how they deal with them. I think this is fine, and I'll bet Mr. Chambers will find it in himself to forgive them.

Just a dumb ass manager.

23
posted on 12/17/2013 8:28:19 PM PST
by rlmorel
("A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral." A. Hamilton)

The first version of this story that I read said that he was asked for a Dr's note to prove he was being treated for cancer.

Now he was kicked out of the restaurant?

I'm wondering how bad his treatment will be in the next version that I hear.

I do absolutely feel for anyone who's life is so dramatically affected by cancer, but I don't respect anyone that expects ALL of the rest of society to change to accommodate their situation. Life is not fair.

And you are right. If they were that worked up about it, they should have addressed it early on, and there probably would not have been a misunderstanding.

That said, I regret that there is no dress code now for nearly anything. People go to weddings in t-shirts, funerals in jeans, church in pajama bottoms, and restaurants with baseball hats worn inside.

I have nothing against baseball hats or any hat, but I was raised to remove my cover when inside, particularly when eating. I understand a diner, a Wendy’s and so on, but I feel that something has been lost by not having any standard.

There is no room anymore for ceremony with proper attire. But that is just me.

26
posted on 12/17/2013 8:34:51 PM PST
by rlmorel
("A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral." A. Hamilton)

Apology accepted time (to) be on. I have more important things to fight than Morton's.'

I had sympathy for this guy, but this comment is stupid. You can't accept the apology and then say you have more important things to fight than Morton's. You would only say that if you didn't care about the apology. He's an idiot. But, good luck with the cancer.

28
posted on 12/17/2013 8:41:52 PM PST
by andyk
(I have sworn...eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.)

I went to an Elks Club for lunch with a friend on the recommendation of another. After the meal and leaving a tip, we were asked if we were Elk’s Club members. We said ‘no’, but were recommended the place by a friend.

The management left it at that and I’ve never been back. They have their rules, but weren’t jerks about it. And...I respect them!

My restaurants were 5 star French, with strict dress code.. I would not have enforced a code on a medical patient.. However I made Billy Martin, and Mickey Mantel remove their Cowboy hats before seating them..

Martin was the GM of the New York Yankees, and who doesn’t know Mickey Mantel.. Martin said, “Do you know who I am?”.. I said yes sir I do, he asked if I still wanted him to remove his hat, and I say YES I DO, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Mantel as well..

He then said if that was the way it was, he was going to leave.. I asked if he needed a Taxi, or did he have transportation? They walked out..

...violation of the restaurant's dress code, even though it doesnt actually say anything about hats and only suggests men wear business attire or smart casual wear..wow - how hoidy-toidy can you get - I'm glad I live here in barbarous Joisey where I can wear my baseball cap in any local restaurant any time I want for any reason I want, and usually do.......

Not really, this is Houston, and everyone owns a fancy cowboy hat, and the line was watching as this was taking place.. Several of my regulars who witnessed the encounter, remarked that I really was a bad ass businessman, not just a jerk Yankee.. LOL

Yes. I agree. Multitasking on issues isn’t that hard, with so many other important things, but that this reached a national level is just silly, IMO. There are a lot of other things that generate genuine outrage in me, but this isn’t one of them.

This is one of those things that you have to look at and say “So, they have a dumb ass manager. Not the first time someone has had one. It isn’t as if the company has a policy to ridicule and exclude people with cancer...fire the guy, discipline him/her and apologize to the customer and make it right. Happens hundreds of times a day all over the country...”

That doesn’t mean it can’t be a significant issue for the company, but what a lack of perspective it displays that people feel the need to make it a national issue.

47
posted on 12/17/2013 9:02:14 PM PST
by rlmorel
("A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral." A. Hamilton)

Whether it was a church or a restaurant or whatever.....the guy is battling cancer - he needs his hat. It’s called being compassionate.

I can’t imagine any church having a problem with this, either. Are you saying yours does? It’s not s sign of disrespect, it’s dealing with reality. I am sure a minster or pastor would prefer an individual with cancer to attend church with a hat vs. not attending at all.

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